Mysuru: In the last few weeks, the price of many food and masala items commonly used in Indian kitchens has been skyrocketing in the city, causing heartburn among middle-class families. The price of green peas has increased from Rs 90 to Rs 190-200, finger millet from Rs 32-34 to Rs 44-46, dosa rice from Rs 40-44 to Rs 50-54, and cardamom from Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,500.
Adding to the woes of the consumers, the price of average raw rice also crossed the Rs 70-mark from Rs 60-65 a month ago, adding pressure on the monthly budget of families.
Meanwhile, traders and farmer leaders point out that this price rise is not helping the farmers or the customers, while benefiting only the middlemen.
According to the consumers, the prices of all grains are increasing day by day. They point out that even though grains are sold at affordable prices by several agencies in big cities like Bengaluru, in a secondary city like Mysuru, no govt intervention is visible to protect the interests of the consumers.
Consumers point out that rates of commonly used grains like toor dal, urad dal, and various oils are now above Rs 200 per kilogram. "The inflation is the biggest challenge faced by middle-class families. Even though rates are skyrocketing, there is no govt support for them," said Sharmila S, a resident from Bogadi.
According to CK Ganesh, director of Mysuru Grain Merchants Association, who is also the director of FKCCI, the prices are expected to come down in Feb 2025 when the new harvest season begins. According to him, the price rise is not visible much at the wholesale dealers' level. "But at retail shops, prices are highly inconsistent," he said.
Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) president Badagalapura Nagendra said this sudden price rise is not helping farmers. "The farmers continue to get low rates only. Middlemen are making a huge profit. It is affecting the consumers. The only way to ensure fair prices for both farmers and consumers is govt intervention," he said.